Bring Out the Best in Your Board

/emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD

CAROUSEL OF HAPPINESS: BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOUR BOARD

Emily Davis, MNM, CGT Emily Davis Consulting

November 17, 2014


A LITTLE ABOUT ME…


30 seconds or less

Name & Board Role

Question or Challenge

Outcome

A LITTLE ABOUT YOU…


•  Step up step back •  Tune out tech, tune in to

engagement •  Challenge each other, ideas

to advance mission •  Every experience &

perspective has value •  Emily will keep us moving •  Other? •  Parking lot

AGREEMENTS


ESSENTIALS OF BOARD LEADERSHIP


1.  Determine mission & purpose

2.  Select the chief executive

3.  Support & evaluate the chief executive

4.  Ensure effective planning

5.  Monitor & strengthen programs & services

6.  Ensure adequate financial resources

7.  Protect assets & provide financial oversight

8.  Build a competent board

9.  Ensure legal & ethical integrity

10. Enhance the organization’s public standing

10 BASIC BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES


ACTIVITY

How does the board as a whole perform the 10 responsibilities listed?

Rate the board as a whole on a scale

from 1 – 4. 4 = Outstanding

3 = Good 2 = Fair 1 = Poor


Set organizational

direction

Provide oversight

Ensure necessary resources

BOARD ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES


WHO CONDUCTS PLANNING? Objective perspective Time to commit and compile info Serve as “bad guy” Expert Keeps focus on priorities Costs $ Board/staff resistance

Less money Understand org best Can get bogged down in details More subjective Time accountability

Self-Facilitated

Consultant


Identify budget: $5,000 - $7,5000

Timeline: 5 – 6 months

Outcomes

Request for proposal: Competitive process

References by similar orgs

ED and Governance Committee leads

HIRING A CONSULTANT


PLAN ELEMENTS

Introduction

• Process steps • Strategic plan purposes

Situational Analysis

• Lifecycle stage • Opportunities for consideration

• SWOT • Visioning

Strategies, Goals,

Objectives

• Resources

Implementation

• Accountability • Next steps • Sample docs


WHY 100% BOARD GIVING??


THE GIVING PYRAMID


SPHERES OF INFLUENCE NEW DONORS

direct mail, events

ANNUAL DONORS Direct appeals,

volunteer involvement

MAJOR DONORS Personal relationships Committee and board

involvement

PLANNED GIFTS Personal relationships

& involvement Could be anyone!


FUNDRAISING PROCESS

Prospecting Identification Preparation

Cultivating Build the Relationship

Engage the Donor Ask for the Gift

Stewarding Recognition Reporting Communicating Engagement


FUNDRAISING BY TIME

Prospecting

Stewardship & Cultivation

Acknowledgment

Solicitation


3 POSSIBLE OUTCOMES

YES!!

Yes, but not that much

No



FEARLESS FUNDRAISING: A BOARD MEMBER

CHECKLIST!

Fundraising opportunities and

responsibilities for board members

Be honest. Be realistic.

Take a risk!



Legal Hat

Ambassador Hat

Volunteer Hat

THE DIFFERENT HATS WE WEAR…


ENSURE BOARD & ED ENGAGEMENT*

ED is displacing board

GOVERNANCE AS OBSERVATION

ED is in constructive partnership with board

GOVERNANCE AS

LEADERSHIP

ED is going thru the motions with the board

GOVERNANCE AS

ATTENDANCE

ED is displaced by board

GOVERNANCE AS MICROMANAGEMENT

ED ENGAGEMENT

BOARD ENGAGEMENT

* Source: Richard Chair et. al. “Governance as Leadership”


ACTIVITY TIME!

Write “board” in the space provided if you think it is a board responsibility.

Write “staff” if you think it is a

responsibility carried out by the staff.

Write “both” if you think it is a responsibility shared by staff and board.


Board Leads

Shares values thru policies that put mission in action

Hires, supports, assesses ED

Opens funding resources in community

Oversees financial due diligence

Recruits & retains new board members

ED Leads

Develops/ Proposes policy questions

Hires, supervises, motivates staff

Develops & implements programs

Shared Leadership

Strategic plan

Fundraising plan & strategies

Evaluations

Prep board meetings

SHARED LEADERSHIP


Dramatic Disengagement Conflict

Of no real consequence

Compliant

Anticipates Plans Sees opportunities

HOW FUNCTIONAL ARE WE?

Unconscious Conscious Enlightened

Dysfunctional

Functional

Responsible

Exceptional



WHAT MAKES ‘EM TICK*

• Always YES • Wants to help everyone & everything

• Caution!

OVER-COMMITTED

• Need lots to stay engaged

• Don’t let them sit around

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

• Verbal & print

• Use titles & acknowledgment

LIKES RECOGNITION

• Stays focused & on track • Great for events • May get discouraged by others’ lack of support

ORGANIZER

• Lots of ideas for improvement

• Pair with an Organizer to keep things moving

CREATIVE

*Abigail Harmon


ORIENTATION



E-GOVERNANCE

EMAIL VIRTUAL MEETINGS

CLOUD SHARING POLICY


COMMITTEES


BOARD REPORTS


ADDITIONAL MEETINGS


SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES

Roberta’s Rules Mission Moments

Facilitation Time Keeper

Minutes


CONFLICT MANAGEMENT


ASSESSMENT



•  BoardSource •  IdeaEncore •  The Policy Governance

Model (Carver) •  Council of Nonprofits •  Roberta’s Rules of

Order •  A Fundraising Guide

for Nonprofit Board Members

•  Nonprofit Board Answer Book

•  Creating Caring and Capable Boards

•  10 Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards

•  The Board Building Cycle

•  The Nonprofit Policy Sampler

RESOURCES


Emily Davis, MNM Emily Davis Consulting

(720) 515-0581 [email protected]

emilydavisconsulting.com emilydavisconsulting.com/blog

Government & Nonprofit

Bring Out the Best in Your Board